A legal notice regarding the use of animals and animal-drawn vehicles on roads was issued on Christmas Eve.

The regulation sees a number of requirements, including where Karrozzin drivers need to keep all cab stands and roads clean and free of animal excrement, including animal urine. A bio-degradable chemical is to be poured over animal urine by drivers in order to break down and eliminate accumulated agents and odours.

The regulation sees five different categories of licenses, one for Karrozzins (category A); one for any other animal-drawn vehicle used for the conveyance of passengers (category B); another for animal-drawn vehicles used for the carriage of goods or by a street hawker (category C); one for animal-drawn vehicles which is neither for hire nor for the carriage of goods, “which may include a serkin, a Xarretta and vintage and traditional animal-drawn vehicles (category D); and the last license for animals used for riding under a saddle (category E).

No licence shall be issued under any of the categories specified unless the applicant for any such licence shall, together with the application, presents an animal’s identity document, including the animal’s identification number issued by the Director of Veterinary Services, and a certificate on the animal’s general physical condition issued by a licensed veterinarian certifying that the animal is fit to be used for the purpose of the said licence.

All licences shall be issued and renewed annually against fees. In addition, No such licence shall be issued or renewed unless the animal-drawn vehicle is already covered by an insurance policy.

“Animal-drawn vehicle on the roads in Malta must have a policy issued by an authorised insurer, which indemnifies the person, persons or classes of persons specified in the policy in respect of any liability which may be incurred by him or them in respect of the death of or bodily injury to any person, or damage to any property caused by the said animal or animal-drawn vehicle (including the animal drawing the animal-drawn vehicle) for a total liability which shall not be less than €250,000 with regard to animal-drawn vehicles licensed under Categories A, B and C and not less than €125,000 with regard to animals and animal-drawn vehicles which are, at the time of the accident, licensed under Categories D and E”.

The regulations will not allow any animal-drawn vehicle, other than police cavalry, military parades and animal-drawn vehicles for which a Licence A or a Licence B has been issued, to be used on roads on any day between 07:00 hours and 09:00 hours, and between 16:00 hours and 18:00 hours, except on Saturdays, Sundays and national and public holidays.